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Courtesy of BHLDN
Few occasions call for all-out glamour, but the number one on our list is, without a doubt, a New Year's Eve wedding. As a guest, this is your red-carpet moment — an occasion to pull out all the stops. Sure, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't want to steal attention from the couple of honor. But on January 31, it's safe to assume the soon-to-be-wed selected the date for the increased merriment, making a dialed-up dress more than appropriate.
When deciding upon a New Year's Eve wedding guest dress, color, and style are big considerations. Dazzling numbers are indeed encouraged — think metallic hues, sequin-decked designs, and luxe fabrics with sheen. Jewel-tones, vibrant colors, playful prints, and muted shades work, too — you'll look party-perfect in a shimmering slate, gleaming indigo, or sparkling sandstone.
Ahead, keep scrolling to discover the best New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses. From cocktail hour to midnight, you'll be ready to usher in the new year and newlyweds in style.
Mango Short Sequin Dress
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Courtesy of Mango
The only way to make all-over sequins more daring? With pretty puff sleeves and a leg-baring hem.
Self Portrait Leaf Sequin Ruffle Maxi Dress
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Courtesy of Shopbop
We love the ease of this sequin embellished slip dress that is at once glamorous and effortless.
Badgley Mischka Sequin Faux Wrap Midi Dress
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Where better to wear head-to-toe sequins than a New Year's Eve wedding? This wrap silhouette is universally flattering, not to mention the elegant midi length.
ASOS DESIGN Shirred Midi Tea Dress
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Courtesy of ASOS
Equal parts trendy and festive, we love the voluminous sleeves and shirred design of this dress for a fashion-forward moment. Even better is the affordable, under-$70 price tag.
Dolce & Gabban Polka-Dot-Flocked Tulle Gown
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Courtesy of Matchesfashion
For the ultimate black-tie wedding look, you can't go wrong with this exquisite polka-dot flocked frock featuring an elegant ruched boned bodice and a gathered hem.
IRO Revert Pleated Dress
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Courtesy of Bloomingdale's
With a tiered skirt and plunging neckline, this metallic mini is destined for an occasion like New Year's Eve. We love the three-quarter sleeve as an elegant offset to the dress's otherwise striking design.
Eloquii Sequin Maxi Dress with Wrap Skirt
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Courtesy of Eloquii
Like with jewelry, some prefer gold over silver. If this is you, look no further than this gilded dress, featuring long sleeves and a wrap skirt.
Míe Zanzi Dress Black
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Courtesy of Míe Zanzi
For a New Year's Eve bash on the beach, this long linen number is perfection. The bow-tie straps add a touch of whimsy we love for witnessing, "I do's."
ASOS EDITION Curve Sequin Kimono Midi Pencil Dress
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Courtesy of ASOS
This sparkling kimono dress strikes a chord, though the clean lines ensure total elegance. Accent yours with heels and jewelry in polished silver for added shine.
Babaton Bello Dress
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Courtesy of Aritzia
A tuxedo dress is achingly chic for New Year's Eve, especially in lustrous noir. This fluid silhouette drapes so beautifully, requiring a simple heel and nothing more.
Reformation Butterfly Dress
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Courtesy of Reformation
This black dress is simple yet feminine, with a sweetheart off-the-shoulder neckline and flutter sleeves. To give it a New Year's Eve wedding guest spin, add in a glimmering accessory or two — we're thinking a beaded mini bag and drop earrings.
Lapointe Stretch Sequins Dolman Dress
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Courtesy of 11Honore
Channel '70s-era glamour in this sequinned black dress — an elegant alternative to silver or gold. To keep the paillettes as the focal point, opt for minimal accessories as the finishing touch.
Maje Bicolor Sequin Dress
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Courtesy of Maje
What's bolder than all-over sequins? Two tones, in silver and black. Even more alluring is the cut-out back — a statement-making look from all angles.
BHLDN Dover Velvet Dress
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Courtesy of BHLDN
When it comes to a cold-weather New Year's Eve wedding, you can never go wrong with a sumptuous velvet dress. This impossibly chic style from BHLDN would pair beautifully with gold accessories.
Rebecca Taylor Short Sleeve Safari Dress
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Courtesy of Rebecca Taylor
A subtle animal print adds an edge to this frilled black dress in lightweight chiffon. It's both demure and daring for a New Year's Eve wedding, especially in a warmer locale.
ASOS DESIGN Batwing Bias Cut Maxi Dress
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Courtesy of ASOS
Though the silhouette is demure, liquid metallic fabric makes this dress a festive option for New Year's Eve. For extra razzle-dazzle, finish with diamond or rhinestone earrings.
Marchesa Notte One-Shoulder Metallic Lamé Gown
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
Metallic fabrics are spot-on for New Year's Eve, and more distinctive is a dress in an unexpected hue like pink lamé. The one-shoulder neckline will beautifully enhance your neckline with a side split on the skirt for added allure.
Autumn Adeigbo Serena Long Dress
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Courtesy of Autumn Adeigbo
This floral-trimmed dress is the perfect splash of color for those inherently drawn to black. Voluminous sleeves and tiered ruffles amount to a showstopping moment, whether with sandals, pumps, or heeled boots.
Retrofête Gabrielle Mini Dress
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
You'll make a wedding-guest statement in this sequin-decked mini with long sleeves and a wrap silhouette. The powder blue hue might feel innately spring, but with black heels and a metallic bag, it's entirely festive for New Year's Eve.
ML Monique Lhuillier One-Shoulder Metallic Dress
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Courtesy of Bloomingdale's
We love a little black dress, but for more distinction, this shimmering citron is so unexpected. Keep the rest of you look simple with minimal jewelry and a simple heel.
Mac Duggal Sequin Long Sleeve Gown
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
If you've RSVP'd "yes" to a black-tie New Year's Eve wedding, this scintillating gown is absolute perfection. The V-neckline and drawn-in waist are stunning, yes. But it's the soaring slit that makes this number thoroughly scene-stealing.
Brandon Maxwell Off-The-Shoulder Silk Maxi Dress
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Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Channel classic Hollywood glamour in this off-the-shoulder silk gown by Brandon Maxwell. The décolletage-revealing off-the-shoulder neckline calls for dazzling earrings, while the fitted silhouette beautifully defines the waist.
Amsale Draped Bodice Gown
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Courtesy of Amsale
This fluid satin dress is stunning for a black-tie wedding, featuring an off-one-shoulder silhouette and bias column skirt. The pale green sheen is plenty festive with a pared-back design to suit minimalist tastes.
Fe Noel Mace Half Sleeve Tie Dress
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Courtesy of Fe Noel
Volume! Cut-outs! Shimmering red fabric! This dress pulls out all the stops. So, when better to wear than on New Year's Eve?
Valentine Avoh Lena Dress
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Courtesy of Valentine Avoh
This golden brocade dress features flutter sleeves and an open back, exuding modern romance just right for a wedding. For a wink of New Year's Eve shine, style yours with glittering heels and jewelry.
16ARLINGTON Cynthia Dress
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Courtesy of Matchesfashion
Nothing screams it's time to celebrate quite like a leg-baring mini. Wear yours with metallic accessories to complete the festive look.
Needle & Thread Ruffled Sequined Tulle Midi Dress
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
No one does sophisticated sparkle quite like Needle & Thread. This shimmering number is perfect for a warm-weather New Year's Eve wedding.
NBD Codi Embellished Mini Dress
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Courtesy of Revolve
This fun fringe mini is exactly what you need to take you from the reception to the dancefloor, to the afterparty.
Blumarine Sequin Embellished Dress
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Courtesy of Farfetch
If you're stuck on what to wear to a formal New Year's Eve wedding, a safe bet will always be a sequin embellished dress. Wear yours with a bright lip and shoulder-grazing earrings.